Alan Shearer named three of West Ham United’s defensive stars in his Team of the Week for the Premier League’s Official Website, after the Hammers became the first team to prevent Chelsea from winning this season.
Manuel Pellegrini’s men held the Blues at bay, despite seeing the visitors hog 72 per cent of possession, and Shearer had praise for how the Hammers defended with discipline.
Pablo Zabaleta, Issa Diop and defensive midfielder Declan Rice all earned a slot in the Newcastle and Blackburn legend’s select XI.
The Match of the Day pundit said: “Experience counts and Pablo Zabaleta showed it all against Chelsea.”
On Diop, he added: “The Frenchman was impressive and helped keep Eden Hazard and Co quiet for a first clean sheet of the season.”
He was also full of praise for Rice, saying his display was one beyond his tender years.
“A performance full of maturity from the teenager. He was organising with an authority that belies his 19 years.”
Team of the Week: David de Gea (Manchester United); Pablo Zabaleta (West Ham United), Issa Diop (West Ham United), Joel Matip (Liverpool), Ben Chilwell (Leicester City); Joao Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Declan Rice (West Ham United); Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), James Maddison (Leicester City), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City); Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal)
Three @WestHamUtd players in @alanshearer's #PL Team of the Week
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 24, 2018
Thoughts on his Matchweek 6 selections? pic.twitter.com/Ln8tvp97V2